SC man files suit vs. ‘LIVE PD’ network, sheriff’s department, says he was racially-profiled on-camera

COLUMBIA, SC (WIS) - A South Carolina man has sued the A&E Network and the Greenville County Sheriff’s Department after he claims he was racially-profiled on the network’s popular show Live PD during a 2017 arrest.

In the suit filed on April 29, 2019, Fredrick West says that on April 29, 2017, he was standing outside of his home with three friends when Greenville County Deputy B. R. Lovelace “aggressively approached” them.

The suit alleges that Lovelace and other responding deputies “began searching [West] and his friends in hopes of finding illegal contraband,” but did not. Later, the deputies found baggies with drugs hidden in a nearby bush and later charged West with cocaine trafficking. In October 2018, the charges were dropped.

“Upon information and belief, the Plaintiff was largely targeted because of his race,” the suit says. “The LivePD episode has aired nationally countless numbers of times since it originally aired. The airing of the episode continues to do irreparable harm to the Plaintiff as long as it continues to air.”

West is suing for emotional distress, loss of wages and reputation, and requests a jury trial to determine an amount for damages.

The show, which is also one of the most popular shows on cable, allows viewers to get a live look into a police officer’s typical night. The Richland County Sheriff’s Department also participates in the broadcast and has since it’s debut.

You can read the entire lawsuit here:

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